Sherman School: Part 1 | Hull Identification - M4 Sherman Tank

In this first episode of my new series "Sherman School," we'll take a look at the three main hull designs used by factories across the United States in the production of the iconic American Medium Tank M4, commonly known as the Sherman.
With over two-dozen variants of the Sherman produced during WWII, it can be hard to keep track of what makes each one special... in this series, we'll learn how to study images & videos of the Sherman and pick out five key areas of the vehicle to help us pinpoint exactly which version of the M4 we're looking at.
If you'd like to pick up one of my Sherman Spotter's Guide or Sherman Data Sheet posters to follow along at home, you can do so right here: spruesnbrews-scale-modeling1....

[@brzeczyszczykiewicz4476]

Looking forward to more, especially the lend-lease ones and their nomenclature trees!

[@SpruesNBrews]

They'll be coming!

[@mikec2810]

Great video and info! Thanks Hank! Should be a good series!

[@jamesbednar8625]

Great video!!! That town in Ohio where the Sherman factory was located (and still builds Abrams tanks) is pronounced: LIE-MA or like the bean, LIE-MA BEAN. Yep - am from Ohio but living in Kansas. Do not know WHY it is pronounced that way instead of LEE-MA, for I am from the Cleveland area, must be a western Ohio thing or something, but that is how it is pronounced, LIE-MA. Also, always thought that the M4A1 CAST HULL was the best looking of the entire series. Reading up on the COMPOSITE HULL in my sources, and they say that that version of the Sherman hull was mainly for the M4A6 version. It was mainly due to the larger radial engine planned to be used in that version and something only 75 were ever produced.

[@stevenicholson8312]

Awesome video as usual Hank. I'm waiting on the two posters so I can compare while re-watching videos. I have 6 (Asuka, Italeri and Tamiya) kits waiting to build of the variants you showed in a previous video. These videos will be invaluable. Once again you've nailed it Hank 👍👍👍

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks so much!!

[@kaikuklik9748]

Even this first episode is brillant and brings a light to the often confusing variety of Uncle Sherman 🫡 Very curious about the next lesson 👨🏻‍🏫 Best wishes 😊

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks so much! Part two is live now!

[@robbie.205]

Bro🍻, you nailed it. Best video series to come out this year. So looking forward to seeing part 2.😊

[@SpruesNBrews]

Too kind, my friend! Thank you!

[@SDOne-or6vm]

Look forward to a video about sherman track types!

[@SpruesNBrews]

On the way!

[@billballbuster7186]

There were about 2,000 M4 Composites built, Detroit produced 1,676 and Alco at least another 300, not the 700 stated. However most went to the British and many, about 1,200, were converted to Sherman Hybrid MkIc Firefly,

[@jerrypickard1709]

Thanks for these classes! Can't wait for the next one, so get to work!😂

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha I'm on it! 😅

[@jimaltergott9326]

Hi there! I bought the Sherman Tank Data Sheet. It is mounted on the wall above my workbench. Very informative and educational, learning a lot about the different Sherman variants. Have you considered doing this with other AFVs? The M3 Lee family, the T-34, the Churchill. All had a fair share of variants, just a suggestion. Anyway, love the poster, glad I have it. Take care, Jim

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm so glad to hear it - thank you for your support! And I'd love to... one of these days!

[@mageckman]

Hey Hank, I live in Lima, less than half a mile from where the old Lima Locomotive Works was. Lima is pronounced lie-muh, like the bean. Good video on one of my favorite subjects. Keep up the good work.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Ahh! The more you know... thank you! And that's pretty cool!

[@ljscalemodels526]

Hey Hank - great idea, enjoyable, cheers

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks very much! I appreciate it!

[@mikemorrison192]

Great educational video. Thanks for taking the time to present this In such a manner.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you for watching!

[@user-us1dt8iw1f]

Hi Hank great idea told so even I can understand bring on the rest of the series

[@SpruesNBrews]

On the way!!

[@raymondserafin9396]

Great information. Did not know that, but now I do thanks.Hank.Keep up a good work.I enjoy watching your videos

[@SpruesNBrews]

Great! That's the idea - glad to hear it, thanks!

[@scifi_dragon]

Well done, as always.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@s_c570]

Not only do I love that you offer the option to buy a piece that shows all variations of the m4, but that you also are going all the way and making videos showing them all. You are an actual chad in the modeling community. Keep up the good work!

[@berniescheid5286]

Good job Hank. 🇨🇦

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!

[@Robgumby]

Great video! I've always wondered about all the different variations of the Sherman. Most videos end up way too long and the host starts to sound like the teacher in a Peanuts cartoon. Thanks for keeping it short and sweet, yet packed with all of the pertinent info without all of the whys and what fors. Great job. Cheers

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha I'm glad to hear you enjoyed - thank you!

[@armoredsaint6639]

That was good! I have been schooled!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha lovely!

[@gordon8753]

Great video Hank! Can we expect one on each of the Panzer Panther Tiger I'd be a happy man!! Thanks!!

[@tomdulski3729]

great work

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks very much!

[@jeffturnbull9661]

Very interesting information, makes me wonder if cast or welded was more effective in battle, preferred by crews (I'm guessing the greater interior space) and was either preferred in the lend/lease program?

[@dan8402]

This was perfect timing! I was about to start my Tamiya M4A3 build and wanted to know more about it. I also have the Tamiya willies jeep and wanted to have them both on a diorama together. I am thinking something in France farm country, post D-Day. Can't wait for the next episode. I also have a MENG Merkava MK3 on the way, and found these really cool clear cases. they are usually for storing shoe displays or Gundam but they will work great to encase my dioramas. Living in farm country we have a ton of dust, so this will keep them dust free, and they open at the front for easy access.

[@armoredsaint6639]

I agree I just finished my M4 A3 and am looking for a Willy’s Jeep. They’re hard to find these days! I just finished my cologne tank dual diorama!

[@dan8402]

@@armoredsaint6639 I found the Tamiya kit on Amazon.

[@Custer0706]

Depending on your requirements and feelings towards “accuracy” of your Sherman model, you are in for a (‘bad’) surprise with your Tamiya kit. With what is in the box (!), you can build a later variant of the M4A3 as built by Fisher Tank Arsenal (FTA) in approx. December 1944 with a bit of rework. And to get even there, the kit will need a lot of corrections, starting with the open sponsons and the ridiculous hull rear end towards the exhaust deflector (not to mention the motor deck plating). These things weren’t driving around in the French countryside post D-Day either. If in France, then early 1945 in Alsace, alternatively Germany. Some checking of the details is needed to see if a spring 1944 FTA vehicle is possible (again, with what is in the box). If so, “French countryside” in fall 1944 is a diorama option. To the best of my knowledge, no M4A3s were used in the Normandy landings break-out fights. Plainly built out of the box, the details are either soft or missing altogether. There is a full correction set from Formations Models out of Canada for this Tamiya kit, and you could buy bits and pieces for improving details (all hatches and main gun sighting device on turret roof coming to mind) from Tiger Model Designs (TMD) out of Florida. Even the Italeri/Revell of Germany M4A3s in 1/35 are slightly less faulty. For a good/accurate M4A3, Asuka (former Tasca) or Dragon (very rare these days) are the way to go.

[@dan8402]

@@Custer0706 I don't mind shifting the time line at all actually so that isn't an issue. I wasn't expecting it to be perfect at all. I know rivet counters would tear it apart, and rightfully so. I was interested in aftermarket upgrades to make is better so thank you for the company references. This is my first time dipping back into the hobby after a long break. Between this and model railroading it is a hobby I want to get back into again. A lot of my challenges has been researching which tanks served where and when, and what they looked like. As you know many had heaps of stuff on them, and anything from sand bags, to timber as "extra" armor. Time of year from dusty dirt to mud and snow all have huge differences on what you can "cover" and get away with.

[@baxterthejackrussell2334]

It is a model! Jesus A Christ.......

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

Thanks for thius as while I know the big varants well I'm just starting to look into the subvaritains like the Ford Sherman and had no idea the hybrid Sherman was a thing!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Right!? Pretty cool!

[@ModelNerd]

This is great, thank you. Very informative. I'm looking forward to the future episodes.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Wonderful! I'm glad to hear it - thanks for watching

[@jabonorte]

Much easier than wading through that massive reference book I foolishly bought!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha the big books are great to have!! I’ve got too many to count!

[@baxterthejackrussell2334]

All pictures I'm guessing?

[@jabonorte]

@@baxterthejackrussell2334 Hunnicutt? No, definitely not all pictures.

[@Svannuta]

SprueNBrews tries not to talk about Shermans challenge (impossible) (I also enjoyed the video)

[@SpruesNBrews]

Ha! Correct... impossible

[@toweroftrollgaming]

I have on of those in a book for my 15mm flames of war American force

[@mickk8519]

I'm guessing you won't have a problem with me posting this video on a modelling forum? As for a composit, they were given the M4 designation, not the M4A1, which on occasion, they were wrongly identified as, one would assume, because of the frontal view, or an understandable confusion. Also, there were a few large hatch composits, American Locomotive manufactured around 300.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Please do - thanks for sharing the good word! 👍 And thanks for the insight there

[@mickk8519]

@@SpruesNBrews You're welcome. I'll be posting it on the British "RC Tank Warfare" website, where we are mostly into 1/16th RC military vehicles. But some do have larger, like 1/6th lol.

[@mickk8519]

@@SpruesNBrews Under the General Discussion category on the forums index page. With the heading, "Look what I stumbled on today, an informative Sherman video." Just in case you were curious 👍🏻

[@gtora2]

Great little video. One little note. Many of the hull variants were produced at the same time. The M4A1 76W HVSS was actually the final production Sherman. When they cut back on Sherman production the M4A4 was cut, because of the engine. The other models were reduced or removed from production because the Army and the War production board Decided we had to many Shermans in production. Had we kept going at full capacity the US Could have produced 80 or 90k Shermans.

[@Philzila702]

Moreeeeee!

[@SpruesNBrews]

On the way!

[@colonelb]

Awesome video, and you know what "cast up front, welded out back" means? It means composite = mullet, lol

[@SpruesNBrews]

Ha! I guess so!

[@loknlode]

Thanks for the video. And it's pronounced Ly-ma (long i) not Lee-ma like Peru. My grandfather worked at LLW.

[@oliverkalinocka3280]

Where do you buy the helmet and goggles?

[@coulsonfill]

hello sir，I'm your big fan.l'm interested in the M4A3E2 in your video about 17 second.can you share me the video clips or the original video?I want download it and study it.

[@davidmcadams9121]

Great video, but the city is pronounced Lima long I. Not like the city in Peru. I live close to it. No prob happens all the time. Love your channel.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Ahh got it! Thank you!

[@coulsonfill]

hello sir,I'm your big fan.I'm interested in the M4A3E2 jumbo in your video about 17 second. can you share me the videoclips or the original video?I want download it and study it.your helping will be very helpful to my study

[@Speedzoz_The_Most_Wanted]

Thanks for the history lesson.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching!

[@joeokabayashi8669]

Excellent tutorial.

[@paulsawyer2326]

Sir Hank! You are becoming the Stephen E. Ambrose for the modeling world. Never realized there where different hull variations. Great video and look forward the Part 2. 👍

[@SpruesNBrews]

Oh you're far too kind! Thank you!

[@billballbuster7186]

Don't insult the guy, Stephen E. Ambrose had no integrity, he white-washed the poor leadership of the US Army in Europe, WW-2. Said nothing about the huge casualties incurred.

[@thegoodaussie1968]

Oh come on! I needed this video yesterday lmao, I was trying so hard to identify what model kit I'd need to build "the shag" 😂😂😂 this is some cosmic level of GS

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha sorry!

[@ninus17]

This is great. I am a big Sherman fan but I still get some of the variants confused. I would love A similar series on American uniforms in the future as I always struggle trying to paint infantry figures in the correct colours

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks so much - and that’s a great idea with the uniforms as well! Thanks 👍

[@baxterthejackrussell2334]

Try using Dirty.....

[@Joe-dd3pj]

Hey man when you are talking about Lima Locomotive make sure you are pronouncing it correctly. LIMA pronounced Like "Lye-mah". Great episode though very informative.

[@baxterthejackrussell2334]

Lima Locomotive......

[@baxterthejackrussell2334]

Le-Ma Loco-Motive.......😅

[@baxterthejackrussell2334]

Kinda like Lama with out the Spit 😂